GEAR UP Parent Resources 

All parents are invited to join us for the Parent Meeting at 6:0 0 p.m. on June 19, 2003

EFFECTS OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

The research demonstrates that parent involvement in children's learning is positively related to achievement. Further, the research shows that the more intensively parents are involved in their children's learning, the more beneficial are the achievement effects. This holds true for all types of parent involvement in children's learning and for all types and ages of students.

In addition, there are strong indications that the most effective forms of parent involvement are those which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities in the home. Programs which involve parents in reading with their children, supporting their work on homework assignments, or tutoring them using materials and instructions provided by teachers, show particularly impressive results.

 Parent involvement  is the most valuable resource to help your child to be succeed in their future career.

THE EFFECTS OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT ON STUDENT ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR

Research documents on which this report is based address the relationship between parent involvement and achievement and then also look at the effects of parent involvement on student outcomes other than achievement. These include attitude toward school or toward particular subject areas, self-concept, classroom behavior, time spent on homework, expectations for one's future, absenteeism, motivation, and retention.

Research also proves that parent involvement is effective in fostering achievement and affective gains at all levels, and schools are encouraged to engage and maintain this involvement throughout the middle school and secondary years.

GEAR UP Program offers guidelines and activities  for PARENT:

• Communicate to parents that their involvement and support makes a great deal of difference in their children's school performance, and that they need not be highly educated or have large amounts of free time for their involvement to be beneficial. Make this point repeatedly.
• Encourage parent involvement from the time children first enter school (or preschool, if they attend).
• Teach parents that activities such as modeling reading behavior and reading to their children increase children's interest in learning.
• Develop parent involvement programs that include a focus on parent involvement in instruction--conducting learning activities with children in the home, assisting with homework, and monitoring and encouraging the learning activities of older students.
• Provide orientation and training for parents, but remember that intensive, long-lasting training is neither necessary nor feasible.
• Make a special effort to engage the involvement of parents of disadvantaged students, who stand to benefit the most from parent participation in their learning, but whose parents are often initially reluctant to become involved.
• Continue to emphasize that parents are partners of the school and that their involvement is needed and valued.

Guidance for your child:

	Give your child a broader view of the working world.    Help your child broaden his/her career interests by offering out "behind the scenes" high- tech jobs. For example, "sound engineers" might be a career of interest for a youngster who wants to be a rap star!
	Encourage your child to talk to  people about their careers.  Help your child investigate the most interesting aspects of jobs people really love.
	Stay up to date.  Watch local and national news, read the help-wanted ads, conduct research at the library.  Once you have a better understanding of the latest high-tech job opportunities, you'll be more comfortable talking about them with your child.
	Be a 21st century role model. Demonstrate to your child that you are committed to excellence on the job in all aspects of your life. Give your child a positive outlook on the working by maintaining a positive attitude about the technology you use in your job.
	Get your kid's feet wet.  Investigate school activities, internships, camps, and volunteer activities where your child can use classroom skill in real world, high tech environments.

Check out these cool links:

	I care program  Information shows how positive parenting has good impact on your child.
	America Links Up  Resources and tips to help ensure that children have a safe and rewarding on-line experience.
	Parent Soup Parenting tips and discussions on all aspects of raising children from pregnancy through teens.
	700+ Amazing Web Sites for Kids and Adults The largest juried collection of children's sites in cyberspace compiled by the Association for Library Service to Children.
	KidsHealth Accurate, up-to-date information about growth, food and fitness, medical and surgical conditions and the latest treatments. Special sections for kids, parents, and professionals.
	Talkingwithkids  Talks with kids about tough issues such as about Terrorism.
	African American Culture Multifaceted and interesting exploration in African American Culture